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Sam Allardyce will return to football, say ex-Crystal Palace players

Sam Allardyce shows his frustration during the Premier League match between Manchester City and Crystal Palace
Image: Sam Allardyce will be back when 'the right offer comes along', says John Salako

Sam Allardyce will return to management despite indicating Crystal Palace would be his last club, says John Salako.

Allardyce told Palace owner Steve Parish of his desire to leave the club during a meeting in central London on Tuesday, releasing a statement in which he said he has "no ambition to take another job" in football.

Former Crystal Palace player and coach Salako believes Harry Redknapp is one of the only managers in the game with more experience than Allardyce, and after Redknapp returned to coaching with Birmingham City this season, Salako predicts a similar turnaround for the departing Palace boss.

Sam needs to go away, recharge his batteries and when that right offer comes along, he'll be back managing.
John Salako on Allardyce

"Let's not kid ourselves, managers are like boxers," Salako told Sky Sports News HQ. "He had the roller-coaster with the England job, which was the one he always wanted, that all fell apart and he felt as though he was undermined there.

"He came into Palace and it was a nightmare for five, six weeks - that must have taken it out of him. Then it's gone brilliantly and he's kept them up. He's just thought I don't want to do this anymore.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - APRIL 09:  Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish is seen prior to the Barclays Premier League match between Crystal Palace and Norw
Image: Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish was told of Allardyce's plans to leave on Tuesday

"But six weeks of being at home, being with his wife and kids, something will come along and tempt him. Big Sam has too much to offer to walk away from the game.

"Now I think Sam needs to go away, recharge his batteries and when that right offer comes along, as Harry [Redknapp] has done, he'll be back managing."

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Ex-Crystal Palace striker Clinton Morrison also believes Allardyce will be tempted into a return to management and says the Eagles will struggle to find a worthy replacement following the surprise resignation - which seemed to shock the players too.

"I do believe he will come back into management one day, because he is that good a manager he will have a queue of clubs in for him," said Morrison.

"It's going to be very difficult [to replace Allardyce] because there aren't many managers like Sam.

"The way he had Palace set up, Wilfried Zaha working unbelievably when not a lot of other managers could get the best out of him. Wilf has been tremendous, fulfilling his potential and that is all down to Sam.

"Everyone bought into what he brought to the football club so it's going to be difficult. I knew straight away when Allardyce came in Palace would survive."

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